Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) National Pediatric Readiness Coordinating Center Cooperative Agreement

The Emergency Medical Services for Children National Pediatric Readiness Coordinating Center Cooperative Agreement is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program is part of the broader Emergency Medical Services for Children initiative, which aims to improve the quality and accessibility of emergency care for pediatric populations across the United States. The initiative recognizes that children have distinct physiological and developmental needs that require specialized emergency response systems and trained personnel. The primary purpose of this cooperative agreement is to support the operation of a National Pediatric Readiness Coordinating Center that will assess and enhance pediatric readiness in both hospital emergency departments and pre-hospital emergency medical services systems. Pediatric readiness refers to the capacity of emergency care systems to effectively treat children through appropriate leadership structures, clinical competencies, policies, procedures, and equipment. The program seeks to ensure that all children, regardless of geographic location, have access to high-quality emergency medical care tailored to their needs. Funding under this opportunity is intended to support activities that evaluate current pediatric readiness levels and implement strategies to improve them nationwide. This may include developing national standards, providing technical assistance, facilitating data collection and analysis, and coordinating with state and local partners. The cooperative agreement structure indicates substantial involvement from the federal agency in guiding program activities, ensuring alignment with national priorities and evidence-based practices. Eligible applicants include state governments and accredited schools of medicine, as well as public and private institutions of higher education. These entities are expected to demonstrate the capacity to lead a national coordinating effort and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, including emergency medical services providers, hospitals, and public health organizations. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, which lowers the financial barrier to participation for eligible organizations. The application process is expected to open around April 30, 2026, with submissions due by June 14, 2026, no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications must be submitted electronically through the appropriate federal grants platform. While specific application components are not detailed in the forecast, typical federal cooperative agreement applications include project narratives, budgets, organizational capacity statements, and supporting documentation. The estimated award date is June 30, 2026, with a project start date of July 1, 2026. The program anticipates making a single award with total funding of approximately 4.2 million dollars. The award ceiling is set at 4.2 million dollars, and the floor is 3.9 million dollars, indicating a narrowly defined funding range for the selected applicant. The performance period is expected to begin immediately following the award date, though the exact duration is not specified in the forecast. For additional information, applicants may contact the HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau via email or phone. As this is a forecasted opportunity, applicants are encouraged to monitor updates and prepare in advance of the official notice of funding opportunity release. The program reflects a continued federal commitment to improving pediatric emergency care infrastructure and outcomes across the nation.